Richmond Rent Program

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Effective December 30, 2016

Eviction protections apply to most rental units in the City of Richmond

The vast majority of multi-unit rental properties (including duplexes) constructed before 1995 in the City of Richmond are subject to rent control

Rents for rent-controlled units must reset to the “base rent”, or the rent paid on July 21, 2015 (or the first date that rent was paid after this date)

The Maximum Allowable Rent is equal to the base rent, plus all applicable Annual General Adjustment rent increases

Any excess rent paid in excess of the Maximum Allowable Rent following December 30, 2016, MUST be refunded to the Tenant in the form of a Cashier's check. Proof must be submitted using the online "Proof of Excess Rent Refund" form. See Regulation 17-05 for detail.

News & Events

The City of Richmond Rent Program is soliciting proposals from legal service providers to provide legal assistance to eligible participants specifically with regard to the Richmond Fair Rent, Just Cause for Eviction, and Homeowner Protection Ordinance and the Relocation Ordinance, codified in Chapters 11.100 and 11.102, respectively, of the Richmond Municipal Code, as well as with other rent-related ordinances that the City Council may adopt in the future, resolutions adopted by the City Council to implement rent-related ordinances and regulations, and rules and policies that the Rent Board adopts to implement the rent-related ordinances and resolutions.

Rent Board Adopts Amendments to Regulation 603, Extending the Deadline for Landlords to File a Notice of Rent Increase with the Rent Program from Two to Ten Business Days

At their Regular Meeting on September 19, 2018, members of the Rent Board approved an amendment to Regulation 603 to provide Landlords more time to file notices of rent increase with the Rent Board. Landlords of Controlled Rental Units in the City of Richmond must file any notice of a rent increase, including a Proof of Service, with the Rent Board within ten (10) business days after service on the Tenant. If a Landlord does not file the notice with the Rent Board within this time period, the rent increase shall be deemed null and void.

Rent Board Approves 2018 Annual General Adjustment of 3.6%

Methodology for Billing of the Rental Housing Fee

At the June 20, 2018, Rent Board meeting, Rent Program staff members reported on the methodology employed for billing of the Residential Rental Housing Fee.

Access the presentation by clicking on the image below:

City Council Adopts FY 2018-19 Rental Housing Fee

At their meeting on May 15, 2018, the Richmond City Council adopted the Fiscal Year 2018-19 Rental Housing Fee in the amount of $207 for Fully Covered Rental Units, $100 for Partially Covered Rental Units (such as single family homes, condominiums, and new construction) and $50 for Governmentally Subsidized Rental Units (including units in the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program.)

Rent Board Approves Rent Registration Regulations

On February 21, 2018, the Richmond Rent Board adopted Chapter 4, establishing Rent Registration requirements for all Rental Units in the City of Richmond.

Rental property owners can expect to receive information in the mail from the Rent Program with instructions for submitting required information to achieve compliance with Rent Registration requirements.